Test hudud on political leaders, says Zainah Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR: Considering the turmoil generated by the proposed implementation of PAS’ hudud law in Malaysia, a test run should be imposed on those in power, suggested Zainah Anwar, director of Musawah (equality in Arabic), a global movement for equality and justice in the Muslim family.

"It should be imposed on Ministers and Members of Parliament. If this test run is approved and works, maybe then we can see if it is suited to be implemented for the rakyat," she said during a forum entitled 'Hudud in Malaysia' on Sunday.

"The Quran speaks of justice and equality, compassion and kindness, not inflicting fear among the people,” said Zainah, co-founder and former director of Sisters-in-Islam.

She said that based on the implementation of hudud in other countries, it is the marginalised who will suffer.

"The people who actually end up getting punished are the poor, the illiterate and the women. This way the only thing we see growing is Islamophobia," she said at the forum which was attended by about 150 people.

Zainah argued that non-Muslims are questioning the issue because this is with regards to public law and policy.

"There is no Buddhist or Christian law, but there is Islamic law and this affects the people, therefore they possess the right to question.

"There are 1.6 billion Muslims around the world and not all of them possess the same mentality," she said adding that she like many others personally submits to God but not all man-made laws.

Zainah called on lawmakers to stop putting the rakyat through this argument as scholars and religious leaders themselves are not in consensus.